All information on this page copyright (C) 2006 Undergraduate Theatre Association

The Undergratuate Theatre Association
presents

Information for Foreigners
By Griselda Gambaro
Translation by Marguerite Feitlowitz
Directed by Victoria Pettersen Lantz

Information for Foreigners poster
Publicity designed by Reuben Rosenthal

April 25th-27th, 2007
Hemsley Theatre, Vilas Hall, UW-Madison

Produced with generous support from the University Theatre Open Stage and All Campus Party 2007.
Produced through special arrangement with Marguerite Feitlowitz.

Synopsis | Cast | Production Team

SYNOPSIS
As a drama of dolor, disbelief, and disappearances, Information for Foreigners literally leads audiences through scenes of torture and brutality. Gambaro sculpted this experimental piece of theatre in order to have audience members become part of the play as a real life event. Using her experiences as an Argentinean during the Dirty War and Disappearances, Gambaro blurred the lines of what is considered theatrical, ridiculous, realistic, and horrible. As tour guides walk audiences through various rooms, we see actors rehearsing theatrical deaths, police torturing prisoners, children playing while their parents are taken from them. Throughout these scenes, tour guides explain to audiences that these are all based on true stories from different parts of Argentina in 1971. Combining puppetry, shadow work, dance, bilingualism, and acting techniques, this production highlights the importance of the Disappearances as history and as a stark allegory for our lives today. 21 actors take on multiple roles of oppressor/oppressed, male/female, alive/dead, actor/audience and many more dualistic, complex relationships to show audiences a ridiculous and nightmarish world of oppression and tribulation.

CAST  
Brittany Rose Jordt Tour Guide
Jennifer Lauber Tour Guide
   
Luz Arroyo Himno Nacional Mexicano singer, Girl in bag, Dancing police 2, "Dumb" man, Prostitute
Angela Bolmes Wine server, Hermenegilda, Iago, Sculpted prisoner
Danielle Bormann Chief, Female bomber, "Deaf" man, Prostitute
Shelby Eckenrod Was ist Aufklarung? reader, Recorded victim, Mother, Shakespearian policse, Old mother
Jason Forbes Accidental Death of an Anarchist reader, Rehearsing actor, Guard, Man with gift
Brittany Gilbertson Puppet child, Official, Othello, Prostitute
Ayeshah Iftikhar Kashaf reader, Coordinator, Guard, Male bomber, Man 4
TaeHee Kim Jeong Am Jo Kwang Jo Lee reader, Puppet Cop, "Shoe" Policeman, Man 2
Johnson Lo Pupil, Audience protester, Hoodlum, Emilia
Travis Olson Guard of wet girl, Neighbor, Hugging prisoner
Lauren Collins Peterson Le Barbier de Seville reader, Mother/Baby, Hoodlum, Schoolgirl, Man 3
Daniel Pietrangelo Man reading Artaud in underwear, Father, Husband, Blind prisoner
Anna Rieper Puppet mother, Clown coroner, Shakepearian police, Guard with whip
Sherri Schmidt Puppet cop, Dr. Quieto, "Blind" man, Prostitute
Cailan Shannon Bodas de Sangre reader, Wet girl, Dancing police 3
Jamie Skenandore Kidnapper, Neighbor, Greek poet
Stephanie Smith La Priere Virile du Poete reader, Puppet child, Judge, Dancing police 1, Guard/Sculptor
RJ Steiner Puppet father, Clown coroner, Desdemona, Man 1
Casey Strecker Alternative guide, Child monster
Corianne Wilson Kidnapping victim, Body in box, Sculped prisoner
Lyndsey F. Wurch Teacher, Killer in audience, "Little Ass-Hole," Prostitute
   
PRODUCTION TEAM  
Victoria Pettersen Lantz Director & Assistant Puppet Master
Brittany Rose Jordt Assistant Director
Rachel Parker Stage Manager & Assistant Pupper Master
Quoctrung Dinh Bui Scenic Consultant
Autumn Leonard Lighting Designer
Kody Pangburn Costume Designer
Reuben Max Rosenthal Sound Designer & Technical Director
Dani Deutschmann Sound Board Operator
Corianne Wilson Props Manager
Cailan Shannon Puppet Master